By Brendan Rees
Labor’s plans to extend the Cranbourne line to Clyde may not happen until after 2026 under Transport Victoria’s long term rail plan for Victoria.
Leaked documents containing maps of the plan suggest a new rail link to Clyde will not occur until stage three which could be up to “as far away as 2030 or 2034,” according to Liberal public transport spokesman David Davis.
“There is no doubt that they are not going to do it – they’re not going to do it the next two government cycles,” Mr Davis said.
The plan was developed by the State Government’s lead transport planning authority and completed in August which details six pages of rail developments.
Mr Davis described the plans as “circus” and a “joke.”
“They are lying again,” he said. “They lied in ’02, they lied ‘06. They’re own documents show they’re not building it until stage three of their plan.”
He added Labor initially promised to extend the rail line to Clyde in 1999 before then Premier John Brumby “quietly put it away in 2008.”
Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said Transport for Victoria conducted a range of modelling on potential works that could get Victorians home safer and sooner.
“This is an internal department working document and not Government policy,” she said.
“If re-elected, the Andrews Labor Government will get on with the $750 million Cranbourne Duplication that will deliver more trains more often for locals.
“The Victorian Liberals had four years to build the public transport system Victorians need – they promised lots and delivered nothing,” she said.
In a statement Labor said the document provided a “range of scenarios” that Transport for Victoria consider before they provide advice to Government.
“Future frequencies and network configuration are determined once infrastructure is completed,” it said.
In August, Labor issued a media release saying “Duplicating the Cranbourne line also paves the way for it to be extended to Clyde with a re-elected Labor Government committing $7 million to complete planning for the new rail link as part of the duplication project.”
Labor policy includes removing 75 level crossings, the Suburban Rail Loop, the Airport Rail Link and the Western Rail Plan.
